The sceneMany aspirants
few avenues Demand for higher
education is outstripping supply. For 138 million aspirants, only 20
million seats are available across the country. Even though the
government is trying to plug the gap by putting more focus on skill
development and vocational education, it is still a long way off for the
millions aspiring for higher education.Aditi TandonIt's again that time of
the year when Class XII students, after appearing for the boards, wait
for their results with bated breath. Only last year, the country had
witnessed an unprecedented situation when exceptionally high scores in
CBSE’s (Central Board of Secondary Education) school-leaving exam had
sent the cut-offs soaring to 100 per cent for admission to Sri Ram
College for Commerce, one of the most sought after colleges of the
University of Delhi (DU).

HumanitiesLanguage and logic
Almost all major cities are
hosting literature festivals, not to forget mega art shows and the
first-ever design summit held in New Delhi recently. These developments
are opening up a host of possibilities for the young, who are not forced
to follow the traditionally secure careers. Humanities rolls out exciting
avenues that offer creative and professional satisfaction.Sangeet JaurAccording to noted American
Industrialist J. Irwin Miller, "The calling of the humanities is to
make us truly human in the best sense of the word." Humanities is a stream for
those who would like to know more about society, ideologies, beliefs and
value systems. And yet it is among the most under-rated streams in the
Indian context.

Guiding
lightsHow to conquer
course fear_
_ Zubin MalhotraTrepidation,
perspiration and expectation - these are the feelings that a student
encounters while choosing a course that is to define his career in life.
The young and impressionable minds harbor many misconceptions in this
regard. Here we clear the air on some fears.

ScienceRooting for basics Preference for medicine and
engineering makes many a science student ignore the courses offered in
basic sciences. However, the study of basic sciences that straddles the
fundamental existential issues and modern technological advancement is the
key to becoming an enlightened, globally clued-in and employable
individual.Amitabha MukherjeeONE of the peculiar features
of the higher education scene in India is the high value attached to the
engineering, medicine and management courses, both by students and
parents. Every year, lakhs of students take entrance tests for engineering
and medicine, and a majority of them are disappointed. Yet, very few of
these students, who have studied science in school up to Class XII, think
of making a career in the basic sciences.

...And the
realm beyond Physics, chemistry, zoology
and botany are no longer watertight compartments. Boundaries between pure
sciences are fast melting in the cerebral cauldron and evolving into
exciting combinations.BiochemistryA
simplistic definition of
this amalgamation of two basic sciences — biology and chemistry —
would be that it is a study of the chemistry of living things such as
substances, compounds and processes. Biochemists combine the fields of
microbiology, cell biology, genetics, chemistry, cell biology, and physics
in their day-to-day work or experiments. They get into the most minute
characteristics of organisms and their biological processes.

CommerceGame for big bucks The beauty of commerce is
its diversity. It exposes students to a number of disciplines, providing a
unique opportunity to broaden their horizon. Even at the graduate level,
it does not restrict choice and opens up a number of avenues. Each student
has three years to explore, study, examine and decide before making a
final choice.Dr C. S. SharmaAFTER Class X, when Rahul
had to choose an academic stream, he chose commerce as he was fascinated
with the job profile of his Chartered Accountant uncle and had ‘decided’
that he wanted to become a Chartered Accountant. But now, two years down
the line, after clearing his Class XII exams, he wants to explore the
choices he has, in case, he doesn’t want to pursue Chartered
Accountancy.

Mass MediaGlare, grime &
glamour Massive is the word to
describe media — not only when it comes to describing its reach or
appeal but also for the sheer choice of courses and careers that it
offers to a curious student. For all those who can think out of the box
and are driven by a creative urge and a desire to stay out of the rut of
a 9-to-5 job, this is the field to sow the seeds of their dream career.Chhavi GargIF you like meeting
people, talking to them and sharing experiences, have the ability to
express your thoughts and a flair for writing, then mass communication
is the best option you can go for. Today is the age of
sharing and interaction (courtesy social networking sites) and if you
like these activities, then nothing is better than turning this skill of
yours into your profession.

EngineeringCreate and build Technology is upgraded every
six months. Infrastructure has to come up to global standards to keep pace
with the pressures and demands of global business. All this will translate
into demand for skilled engineers, who will provide the much-needed level
playing field for India’s growth story. About a hundred exciting streams
have opened up for aspiring engineers to choose from.Gagandeep KaurONE of the most common
questions that students encounter after completing their 12th standard
exams is, "What will you do next?" Though the answer to this
question is preceded by a discussion before coming to a final decision,
students are often seen regretting the choices they make. This probably
happens due to the lack of professional guidance. After plus two, students aim
more for careers like engineering, medicine and Armed Forces.

Fine ArtLines, shapes &
forms Applied art has extended
its reach, widening the scope of fine art. From animation, web designing
to illustration, the requirements for the burgeoning publishing and
entertainment industries ensure a promising career in fine art. The 21st
century belongs to the creative minds. In all fields of knowledge,
creative approaches will rule the roost. No wonder, the demand for the
study of arts that hone creativity, is growing.Soumendra Nath LahiriART, they say, is a
refined expression of human experiences, a means of life that expands
consciousness. The insight provided by arts helps people identify with
and act according to aesthetic and moral values. So, technology may have
made path-breaking progress today, it still bags fresh ideas and
concepts to add that little touch of beauty to its functional appeal.
Despite taking strides in financial and technical fields, one does not
become a complete human being without the pursuit of arts.

MedicalThe doctor is in The next economic boom is
going to be in the healthcare sector. With a mere 0.599 doctors and 0.9
hospital beds per 1,000 persons, medicine is a career full of challenges
in India for the 30,922 doctors (MBBS) passing out from 269 colleges
each year. But it is the thrill and satisfaction of healing the ailing
and saving lives that makes lakhs nurture the dream of donning the white
coat.Dr Harsh MohanMedical profession is
traditionally regarded as a service to human beings; the best reward
being an inner satisfaction derived from healing and by earning respect.
But this comes at a heavy cost in terms of number of years spent in
education, skill development and final settlement in the career. This
profession is for those who are willing to settle for a decent and
respectable living.

Sweet
pill that
cures
The government is encouraging parallel systems of medicine, opening up
new avenues of study and research in homoeopathy and ayurveda. This will
result in creation of many more job opportunitiesDr Randeep NandaDiscovered only 200 years
back, homoeopathy is one of the latest sciences. When people are not
cured with the existing systems of medicine, they look for an
alternative. With its sweet pills and no side effects, homoeopathy can
offer a lasting cure.

Herbs that
heal Vaid Jagjit SinghCalled the alternative
systems of medicines, ayurveda is indigenous and has offered health and
longevity for over 5,000 years. With collateral damages involved in the
modern system of medicine, the Government of India is reviving the
time-tested holistic system of ayurveda by promoting it as a parallel
system of medicine.

Medicine/Allied coursesCaring
and serving Apart from physicians and
surgeons, the battle against diseases and sickness also requires the
services of valiant soldiers of the 'allied forces' to restore the rule
of health. Nursing, physiotherapy and dietetics are some of the options
that you can explore if you want to opt for a profession related to the
medical field.Gauri ChhabraNursing
is an ideal
profession for those who are compassionate, have a strong will power and
spirit to serve the diseased and the weak. The profession involves long
and strenuous working hours. Other traits required for
this occupation include the ability to manage different situations and
the willingness to adapt to new technologies. Licensed vocational nurses
tend to the needs of sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled people.

Healthy
way to
life
Nutrition & DieteticsGauri BawaNutrition and Dietetics
— a new and fast-growing profession — is all about food and its
effects on a person’s health. The increasing awareness among a larger
section of society about the ill effects of lifestyle-related medical
problems has increased the importance of this field over the past few
years.

Touch
and grow Changing mindsets and an
increasing demand for professionals have made physiotherapy a hot
option.physiotherapywith its roots in ancient
Greece, physiotherapy has evolved from simple massage to a complex
assortment of therapies having multiple and specialised applications.
Physical therapy or physiotherapy, often abbreviated as PT, is a
healthcare profession primarily concerned with the remediation of
impairments and disabilities.

LawIn the line of law It will take about 320
years to clear more than 30 million cases pending in our courts.
Obviously, it will require a greater number of legal professionals,
experts and researchers to help the system come out of its present
inertia. A huge gap exists between the demand and supply ratio of legal
professionals. With newer avenues in the legal arena, law offers bright
career prospects.Baji Rao RajwadeA
FEW decades ago, law as a
career was towards the tail end of preferences for a student. Medicine
and engineering were the coveted ones, and admission to law was seen by
some as the last bus. Things have changed to a great extent in the last
two decades or so. The demand for a law degree is evident from the fact
that there are close to a thousand registered colleges in India,
offering a degree in law.

HospitalityOn a hospitable turf With its big bucks and a
wide variety of courses and careers, the thriving hospitality industry
is an attractive option after Class XII even if you don’t have high
grades. The industry offers many options, both in what you can do and
where you work. A charming personality and passion to serve and help
guests will take you far in this field.Gauri ChhabraAtithi devobhava — Guest
is like God. This is the nucleus around which the entire hospitality and
tourism sector revolves. Travel and hospitality is a competitive and
service-oriented industry. So those eyeing an opportunity in this
segment should be ready to face challenges, adjust to change, and most
importantly should be good communicators.

Choosing a Good CollegeThe perfect match College is a match to be
made, not a prize to be won. Even in this digital age, where a large
database of information is just a click away, students find themselves
confused about choosing the educational institution which will shape
their future. Keep these pointers in mind to make a well-informed and
judicious choice while selecting a college.Pramod KumarTHE Indian higher
education having emerged as one of the world’s largest systems of
higher education with 14.6 million students enrolled in more than 31,000
institutions continues to suffer from the challenges of access, equity,
and quality. Ironically, as enrolment in higher education grows, so does
the problem of unemployment and under-employment making higher education
a rather complex system.